The XRCD is very good. Only other digital version I have to compare is the OJC, which is OK, but I prefer the XRCD. Best sounding version in any format I have heard is the Analogue Productions 45 rpm 2 LP edition mastered by Hoffman/Gray.
Duke Ellington The Complete Capitol Recording Of Duke Ellington, Disc 2 Disc 2 kicks of with some solo Duke playing Melancholia. It's a stunning piece. There's several passages -- chord progressions that I feel weren't incorporated until like the late 60s or 70s -- as pop music got more adult and sophisticated. Bacharachian. This was recorded in 1953.
Thanks DrJ. I'll keep an eye out for the XRCD. This is also coming out on SACD by AP, a Kevin Gray remaster. I have the AP 45 rpm, it is indeed exceptional; so much resolution!
Freddie Hubbard - Blue Spirits (1965) Freddie Hubbard (tp) with Joe Henderson (ts) or Hank Mobley (ts), James Spaulding (as, fl), Harold Mabern (p) or McCoy Tyner (p), Pete La Roca (d) or Clifford Jarvis (d), Kiane Zawadi (euphonium), Larry Ridley (b) or Bob Cranshaw (b), Big Black (congas).
Wow, great news for Monk fans: a two LP and two CD release of the studio recordings Thelonious Monk made for the film "Les Liasions Dangereuses" featuring tenors Charlie Rouse and Barney Wilen. Another great release with Zev Feldman involvement. A New Thelonious Monk Album Emerges From the Soundtrack to a Classic French Film
Alice Coltrane – Huntington Ashram Monastery (Impulse! / Verve EU – 2-on-1 series ) — Alice Coltrane (harp, piano), Ron Carter (bass), Rashied Ali (drums, percussion); on two-fer that also includes World Galaxy
Buck Hill – Capital Hill (Muse Records) — Buck Hill (tenor sax), Barry Harris (piano), Ray Drummond (bass), Freddie Waits (drums); CD bonus track Buck Hill R.I.P.
(CD hatOLOGY hatOLOGY-670) .... recorded Junes 1977 at Basel, Switzerland .... Anthony Braxton (as, ss,cl) + George Lewis (tb) + Muhal Richard Abrams (p) + Mark Helias (b) + Charles “Bobo” Shaw (dr) .... my convergence to the music universe of Anthony Braxton was a rather long work in process and sometimes I still believe being in the initial steps of our acquaintance .... this tremendous performance from 1977 was a big step for me towards Braxton for when released in 2001 and and listening to this newly remastered reissue makes me appreciating these performances even more .... this Quintet was really a tight group and one big reason for their success being the stellar rhythm section headed by Muhal Richard Abrams on piano and both showcasing the talents of Mark Helias on bass and being a worthy testament for the capabilites of underrated drummer Charles "Bobo" Shaw .... the original recording executed by Swiss Radio was already excellent and the new remastering from 2016 adds analytical depth .... this CD has been out of print for years and this reissue comes highly recommended .... btw a recording from the group`s performance taking place the following day in Milano/Italy can be found in the net - somewhere ....
Oops, wrong thread, I meant to post this elsewhere. Back to jazz, the new Jazz in Paris of Bechet, "Petit Fleur" . . ..
Hush Point – Hush Point (Sunnyside) — With John Mcneil (trumpet), Jeremy Udden (alto sax), Aryeh Kobrinsky (bass), Vinnie Sperrazza (drums); originals by McNeil (3), Udden (4), Kobrinsky (1), and Jimmy Giuffre (2)
(CD ECM Records German Press ECM-1626/27) .... recorded September 1996 .... Marilyn Crispell (p) + Garry Peacock (b) + Paul Motian (dr) .... splendid tribute to the euvre of composer/songwriter Anette Peacock .... this recording showcases the lyrical side of pianist Marilyn Crispell much to the advantage regarding a subtle re-workings of Peacock`s material and both Garry Peacock + Paul Motian are - with their sensible still challenging approach - genuin partners .... beautiful sound via the ECM CD release from 1997 - is it really 20 years ago ....
Tomasz Stanko Quintet – Music for K (Polish Jazz Vol.22 / Metal Mind Productions) — Tomasz Stanko - trumpet; Zbigniew Seifert - alto saxophone; Janusz Muniak - tenor saxophone; Bronislaw Suchanek - bass; Janusz Stefanski - drums, percussion
Bill Perkins – Just Friends [portion w/ Art Pepper] [(D) on Art Pepper Mosaic Select] (Pacific Jazz Records / Mosaic) — With Art Pepper - alto saxophone; Bill Perkins - tenor sax; Jimmy Rowles - piano; Ben Tucker - bass; Mel Lewis - drums
Last night I played Wayne Shorter - The All Seeing Eye, HDTracks. I grabbed the Connoisseur CD from the classifieds here, looking forward to seeing how it compares. I sold the Van Gelder stereo LP for this a while back, just a bit too compressed for my taste.
How did the HD Tracks sound to you? Will be interesting to see if you like the Connoisseur CD better than the LP.
